I happened to notice a lady repeatedly working her way along a line of toys displayed in the local pet shop. Shaking her head she travelled back and forth picking up one toy, pulling at it, shaking another or testing how annoying the squeak was.
As I walked past her she turned to me and said that she was at a loss to find the perfect toy for her dog, as once he was introduced to a new item he would chew at it until it was either in bits all over the garden or worse still, consumed.
It was clear that this lady was desperate and snapped at one of the assistants when she suggested a squeaky bone, explaining that anything as flimsy as that wouldn't last one minute. The lady then apologised for her attitude but continued to search along the display.
The lady again invited my opinion and I asked her if she was sure that her dog was actually having fun with the toys that she gives him and she was quick to tell me how once a toy was in the dogs mouth, that was it, no one could get the dog's attention and he would guard the toy until it had reached the familiar state. To which I asked the lady had she ever considered that her dog's behaviour could be considered rather obsessive.
The was a pause and then the lady began to explain that if the dog did not wear himself out in this way then he was just to excitable to do anything with, not to mention the pulling on the lead, jumping up at everyone he met and generally showing her up (her words) and she really didn't know what else to do.
It was clear that this lady was in no frame of mind to listen to any reasoning that perhaps to stop feeding the toy obsession and to address the issue of the hysterical behaviour would be a much better way forward but I can only hope that my parting thought being that the dog would soon come to terms with not having toys, which would save her a great deal of money and to let her kindly work on his other problems, at which point the lady stood still looking at the selected offering.
Over the years I have worked with owners who have lived with dogs that have manifested some unbelievable obsessions and whilst the behaviour may differ the level of misery is always the same and is never ever funny, whether it's tail chasing, ball possession, attacking brooms or chasing lights.
It is how the owner responds to anything and everything that will determine the outcome, as we are the cause and their behaviour, the effect.
Jan Fennell
30th May 2012
